🏠 Homebuyer and Credit Workshop | 👔 Pop-up Thrift Sa;e | ⚙️ New Mill Roof | 🛝 Uwchlan Park Survey | & more

In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🏠 Free Workshop to Guide First-Time Homebuyers From Housing Partnership

👔 Pop Up Thrift Sale Returns to Support Food Bank and Parsonage

⚙️ Mill at Anselma Restores Historic Roof 

🛝 Uwchlan Township Launches Survey for Future of Lionville and Rossi Parks

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Good2Know in Chester County

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

🔎 Support Local Downingtown Businesses

Free Workshop to Guide First-Time Homebuyers From Housing Partnership

THORNDALE, PA — The Housing Partnership of Chester County is offering a free educational workshop on Tuesday, September 30, aimed at helping first-time homebuyers navigate the process of purchasing a home. Held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Caln Township Municipal Building in Thorndale, the session will address how to prepare for homeownership, how to access the First-Time Homebuyer Program, and how to qualify for financial assistance. The event is part of a broader local initiative to improve housing access and affordability across Chester County.

Pop Up Thrift Sale Returns to Support Food Bank and Parsonage Repairs

EXTON, PA — After years of hosting an annual yard sale to benefit various charities, a local church expanded the model into a “Pop Up Thrift Sale” held more frequently on its property. The next sale will take place October 11 and 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Parsonage in Exton. Donations — excluding books — may be dropped off in the airlock by the church’s double doors. Items accepted include decor, kitchenware, clothing, toys, small furniture, and sporting goods. Proceeds will support the Chester County Food Bank and help fund restoration of the church’s historic 1800s parsonage building.

Mill at Anselma Restores Historic Roof Ahead of America250

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA — In preparation for America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the Mill at Anselma in Chester Springs has completed a major restoration of its Visitor Center roof, part of a historic 18th-century Wagon Barn. The project was funded with support from America250PA’s Semiquincentennial Grant program and additional contributions from donors. The renovation secures the long-term use of the building as part of the Mill’s educational and community programming. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place during the Mill’s Annual Cider Fest on September 27, inviting the community to celebrate the restoration milestone with seasonal festivities.

Uwchlan Township Launches Survey for Future of Lionville and Rossi Parks

UWCHLAN TWP — Uwchlan Township is inviting residents to contribute feedback on two major park projects: the enhancement of Lionville Park and the creation of a new park on the former Rossi property. While Lionville Park will retain its role as a sports complex, township planners are seeking suggestions on how to improve its facilities. The Rossi property, newly acquired and undeveloped, presents a unique opportunity to build a park from scratch based on community input. The township is circulating an online survey — open to all ages — that takes about eight minutes to complete and allows participants to share their ideas and rank their priorities.

Take survey here

Good 2 Know in Chester County | Ep 12 | Kathy Cole, Peonies & Lilacs

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Jenny Leigh sits down with Kathy Cole, founder of Peonies & Lilacs, a backyard flower farm bringing locally grown bouquets and seasonal arrangements to Chester County. In this warm conversation Kathy shares how a hobby became a business after making heartfelt arrangement videos for her mom, how she grows for cutting (not just for curb appeal), her sustainable practices, the beloved “petal drop” community gift program, holiday evergreen offerings, and upcoming community events and fundraisers.

Upcoming local events…

Car Seat Safety Check (Thorndale) - Sept 24, 3pm-6pm

Community Workshop: Rossi and Lionville Park Master Plan (Exton) - Sept 24, 7pm

Money Matters and Stewardship for Teens (Downingtown) - Sept 25, 6:30pm-8pm

Gay Street Open-Air Market (West Chester) - Sept 26, 8pm-11:45pm

Downingtown Farmers’ Market (Downingtown) - Sept 27, 9am-1pm

Chester County Art Walk (East Goshen Park) - Sept 27, 10am-4pm

Cider Fest At The Mill (Chester Springs) - Sept 27, 10am-4pm

Oktoberfest 2025 (West Chester) - Sept 27, 11am-5pm

Art in The Park (Caln) - Sept 27, 1pm-3pm

VFW First Annual Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Sept 27, 2pm (ticketed)

Cmac’s 8th Choo Choo (West Chester) - Sept 27, 4:30pm-9:30pm

Kidz Town Fall Fest (CFC Downingtown) - Sept 28, 9:30am-11am

Pawpaw Festival at Bondsville Mill Park (Downingtown) - Sept 28, 11am-1pm

Drive Out Hunger (Downingtown) - Sept 28, 11am-3pm

Designer Bag Bingo (Wagontown) - Sept 28, 12pm-5pm

Road to LionCage (Downingtown) - Sept 30, 4pm-7pm

October Coffee Chat (Downingtown) - Oct 1, 7:30am

Solar Viewing with the Astronomical Society (Pottstown) - Oct 4, 10:30am-1:30pm

Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 8:30am-2pm

Jeeps and Java! (West Chester) - Oct 5, 8am-12pm

Downingtown Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 11am-4pm

East Brandywine Fall Festival (EB Community Park) - Oct 5, 12pm-3pm

St. Pauls Pop-up Thrift Store (Exton) - Oct 11, 8pm-2pm

Food Truck and Music Festival (East Goshen) - Oct 11, 2pm-5:30pm

October Cruse for the Troops (Exton) - Oct 11, 5pm

Exton Park Fall Fest (Exton) - Oct 18, 11am-3pm

Catch up on previous issues…